Apparatus and method for forming a variable size cannabis joint

ABSTRACT

There is provided an apparatus for forming a cigarette, in particular, consumer, home appliance machinery to automate a manual, laboured production of cannabis rod, commonly referred to as joints. The apparatus as herein described may provide an all-in-one solution for cannabis or smokable herbs storage, crushing, packing and rolling of custom sized joints, on command while minimizing maintenance and refill of consumables. In addition, the apparatus has the versatility to use a refillable cartridge as well as a single-use, nitrogen flushed and/or vacuum sealed cartridge, which may extend both shelf-life and the freshness of cannabis flower.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

There is provided an apparatus and method for forming a cigarette. Inparticular, there is provided an apparatus and method for forming acannabis cigarette or joint.

Description of the Related Art

Cannabis consumption is predominantly done through grinding and/orburning dried cannabis flowers or buds, either by hand or through anumber for methods and apparatuses. Cannabis cigarettes or joints maystill be the most used method of enjoying unprocessed cannabis flower orbud once freshly cut. While new technological innovations have beenfocusing on vaporizing (vaping) cannabis flower or reduced oils, theexperience or induced high may not be the same as that obtained by thefull combustion of the unprocessed yet freshly sheared flower with allits oils and terpenes. Cannabis buds or flowers contain a multitude ofterpenes and other cannabinoids that may not currently be fullyunderstood. Consumption of these cannabinoids and terpenes, along withwell-known tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)cannabinoids, appears to be paramount in providing many of the subtletherapeutic effects of cannabis flower. Many have also suffered lunginjuries with continual vape usage. Therefore, fully combusting andsmoking unprocessed cannabis flower still remains a desired method ofenjoyment for those experienced with cannabis.

Rolling a freshly sheared cannabis flower may also desirable overpre-crushed methods for a number of reasons. Cannabis becomes dry easilyif it is crushed long before use, thus taste more bitter and lessdesirable. Loss of flavor can also be associated with loss of terpenes;presence of terpenes is theorized to enhance the therapeutic effects andother subtle effects of cannabis flower. It is therefore generallypreferred to only crush cannabis flower immediately before planned use.However, rolling a freshly crushed cannabis flower is a difficult taskfor many.

As such, a number of methods have been created through prior arts,mostly mechanical, to make this exercise less difficult. Almost allmethods are mechanical and require a number of manual steps to achieve afinished joint. Known prior arts methods may require some manual labourfor each rolled joint to refill consumables such as rolling paper andfilter. There may be no solution elsewhere in the market that canautomatically roll single joints without the immediate need to refillconsumables for subsequent joints or other more difficult manual tasks.

In addition, the experience of smoking cannabis flower is furtherenhanced if the flower remains fresh by retaining some of its naturalmoistures. This experience is one where the user can better sense thearomas associated with each cannabis strain, potentially making betteruse of the oils and terpenes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

There is provided, and it is an object to provide an apparatus disclosedherein that overcomes the above disadvantages, namely, an apparatus thatmay ensure near air-tight storage for the formation of single ormultiple joints on-demand through a button or wireless communicationwhile providing a number of other benefits including custom length andpacked settings.

The apparatus and method herein described have been designed for endconsumers as a home appliance with the purpose of storing, grinding androlling individual cannabis containing joints or rods, on command, withenough supplies to accommodate multiple joint formations. This apparatusis also designed such that paper refills are not necessary for 2 to 200(or more) joints or rods. Therefore, this apparatus may require minimalmaintenance to provide an enhanced experience for end-users.

The apparatus as herein described is configured to, on user command,allow cannabis flowers to move from a cartridge thereof to a crushingmain shearing chamber through a powered mechanism whereby initialcutting of large cannabis buds occurs through an initial shredder whiledepositing chunks of cannabis buds towards the main cylindrical shearingchamber, wherein a helical or partially helical blade rotates tosimultaneously shear, break apart and transport cannabis flowers, whilepressurizing crushed material towards an extrusion nozzle. As such,cannabis bud shearing may occur through any combination of the mentionedcutting members. Immediately after the nozzle extrusion, the crushedcannabis flower will fill a hollow space of paper being wound around thenozzle from a continuous roll of paper, through mechanisms describedherein, for paper and its adhesive to overlap in a helical shape, fromits filter base towards a finished cannabis containing rod or joint.

The apparatus as described herein will detail out start-to-finishmotions for forming a cannabis containing joint on command.

There is accordingly provided an apparatus for automatic forming of acigarette. The apparatus includes an extruder via which a smokablesubstance is selectively extruded. The apparatus includes an end memberpositioned to provide a space for the smokable substance so extruded.The apparatus is programed to provide a signal indicative of the extentto which the smokable substance is biased towards the end member, withthe extruder being rendered inoperable upon said signal reaching apredetermined threshold.

There is also provided an apparatus for forming a cigarette according toanother aspect. The apparatus includes an extruder via which a smokablesubstance is selectively extruded. The apparatus includes an end memberpositioned to provide a space for the smokable substance so extruded.The apparatus includes at least one actuator which enables a distancebetween the extruder and the end member to be adjusted. The apparatusincludes a microprocessor in communication the extruder and the at leastone actuator. The microprocessor causes the extent to which the extruderextrudes the smokable substance and the extent to which the end memberand the extruder are spaced-apart from each other to be selectivelyadjusted based on end-user provided cigarette length and/or compactnessdata.

There is further provided an apparatus for forming a cigarette accordingto a yet another aspect. The apparatus includes an extruder configuredto extrude a smokable substance towards an end member. The apparatusincludes at least one sensor configured to provide a signal indicativeof the extent to which the smokable substance is biased towards the endmember. The apparatus includes a microprocessor which controls operationof the extruder and positioning of the end member relative to theextruder to adjust the compactness and length of the smokable substanceso extruded in response to user input data correlated to the sensor.

There is also provided an apparatus for forming a cigarette according toan additional aspect. The apparatus includes an end member. Theapparatus includes an extruder via which a smokable substance isextruded towards the end member. The apparatus includes at least oneactuator which enables a distance of separation between the end memberand the extruder to be selectively adjusted. The apparatus includes apaper wrapping assembly configured to wrap a paper about the smokablesubstance so extruded.

There is further provided a combination cutting and extrusion assemblyaccording to another aspect. The assembly includes a barrel. Theassembly includes an elongate member disposed within and rotatablerelative to the barrel. The assembly includes a plurality oflongitudinally and circumferentially spaced-apart protrusions coupled toand radially-extending outwards from a proximal portion of the elongatemember. The assembly includes a longitudinally extending and helicallyarranged blade coupled to and extending radially outwards from a distalportion of the elongate member.

There is additionally provided an apparatus for forming a cigaretteaccording to a yet another aspect. The apparatus includes a paperwrapping assembly via which paper is selectively extendable outwardstherefrom so as to span at least in part an elongate portion of asmokable substance. The apparatus includes a gripping member shaped toselectively couple to an outer end of the paper. The paper wrappingassembly is arranged to unroll the paper at an angle relative to thegripping member. The apparatus includes at least one actuator selectiveactuation thereof causing the paper to rotate about the elongate portionof the smokable substance.

There is yet also provided an apparatus for forming a cigaretteaccording to yet a further aspect. The apparatus includes an end member.The apparatus includes an extruder via which a smokable substance isbiased towards the end member. The apparatus includes a paper wrappingassembly via which paper is selectively extendable outwards therefrom soas to span at least in part about the smokable substance so extruded.The end member is configured to couple to an outer end of the paper. Thepaper wrapping assembly is arranged to unroll the paper at an anglerelative to the end member; and at least one actuator selectiveactuation thereof causing the paper to rotate about the elongate portionof the smokable substance.

There is further provided an apparatus for forming a cigarette accordingto yet an additional aspect. The apparatus includes an extruder viawhich a smokable substance is biased towards an end member. A sensor isoperatively coupled to the end member. The apparatus includes a paperdispenser via which paper is selectively extendable outwards therefromto couple with the end member and so as to span at least in part thesmokable substance so extruded. The apparatus includes at least oneactuator which selectively causes the end member to rotate relative tothe paper dispenser. The apparatus includes a microprocessor incommunication with the extruder. Actuation of the at least one actuatorcauses the paper to extend about the smokable substance as the smokablesubstance is extruded. When the microprocessor determines that theactuator has at least reached a pre-determined threshold, themicroprocessor is configured to render the extruder inoperable.

There is also provided a smokable substance cartridge shaped to bereceived within an apparatus for forming a cigarette. The cartridgeincludes a chamber having an interior shaped to receive a smokablesubstance therewithin. The cartridge includes a one-way valve in fluidcommunication with the interior of the chamber and configured to enableselective removable of fluid from the chamber. The cartridge includes alocking mechanism having a locked position in which access to theinterior of the chamber. The locking mechanism is configured to movefrom the locked position to an unlocked position, in which access to theinterior of the chamber is enabled by the apparatus, upon the cartridgebeing positioned within the apparatus.

There is further provided a smokable substance cartridge according toanother aspect. The smokable substance cartridge includes a chamberhaving an interior shaped to receive a smokable substance therewithin.The smokable substance cartridge includes nitrogen gas disposed withinthe chamber so as to inhibit presence of oxygen therewithin. Thesmokable substance cartridge includes a seal configured to inhibitoxygen from entering within the interior and inhibit piercing thereofuntil the cartridge is positioned at least in part within the apparatus.

There is additionally provided an apparatus for forming a cigaretteaccording to another aspect. The apparatus includes a first set of oneor more rotating blades via which smokable material selectively passesthrough. The apparatus includes an extruder via which the smokablematerial from the first set of one or more blades is received. Theextruder includes a second set of one or more rotating blades andoutputs an elongate portion of smokable material. The apparatus includesa paper wrapping assembly configured to extend paper about the elongateportion of smokable material so extruded.

There is further provided a method of forming a cigarette. The methodincludes extruding a smokable substance via an extruder. The methodincludes positioning an end member so as to provide a space for thesmokable substance so extruded. The end member includes a pressuresensor coupled thereto. The method includes wrapping paper about thesmokable substance so extruded. The method includes rendering theextruder inoperable upon the sensor and/or actuator reaching apredetermined threshold.

There is also provided method of forming a cigarette according toanother aspect. The method includes receiving end-user provided lengthand compactness data for the cigarette. The method includes extruding asmokable substance via an extruder towards an end member having apressure sensor operatively coupled thereto. The method includesadjusting positioning of the end member via an actuator based on thelength data. The method includes rendering the extruder inoperable uponthe actuator reaching a predetermined threshold. The method includeswrapping paper about the smokable substance so extruded.

There is additionally provided a method to form a cigarette according toa further aspect. The method includes storing uncut plant matter withina cigarette making machine. The method includes receiving a user commandand in response thereto automatically cutting, shearing and extrudingsheared plant matter out of a nozzle via the cigarette making machine.The method includes thereafter automatically wrapping paper aboutsheared plant matter so extruded in rod form.

It is emphasized that the invention relates to all combinations of theabove features, even if these are recited in different claims.

Further aspects and example embodiments are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and/or described in the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate non-limiting example embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a joint making machine at a home position,according to one exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a left side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a rear, right side perspective view of a single-use cannabiscartridge for the joint making machine of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a rear, right side perspective view of a refillable cannabiscartridge for the joint making machine of FIG. 1 , with the cartridgebeing shown in an open position;

FIG. 7 is a front, left side perspective view of protrusions and a bladeof an extruder of the joint making machine of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is a left side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a rear, right side, top perspective view of a joint forkassembly of the joint making machine of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along lines 10-10 of the joint forkassembly of FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 11 is a rear, right side, top perspective view of a paper wrappingassembly of the joint making machine of FIG. 1 , with the paper wrappingassembly being shown in an open configuration for replenishment ofrolling and filter paper, with FIG. 11 also showing a bearing and gearsystem via which the paper wrapping assembly rotatably couples to therest of the joint making machine;

FIG. 12 is a left side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along lines 13-13 of a paper wrappingassembly of the joint making machine seen in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the joint making machine of FIG. 1 in arollout position, with cannabis being extruded from the joint makingmachine and the paper wrapping assembly shown in the process ofextending about an elongate portion of the cannabis so extruded, with ajoint shown in the process of being formed thereby;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along lines 15-15 of the joint makingmachine of FIG. 14 ;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along lines 16-16 of the joint makingmachine of FIG. 14 ;

FIG. 17 is a front elevation view of the joint making machine of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a front elevation view of the joint making machine of FIG. 17, with the joint fork assembly extending outwards from the rest of thejoint making machine and a rolled cannabis joint coupled to andextending outwards therefrom;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of a joint making machine at a home position,according to another exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a front, top, left side perspective view thereof, with paperfrom a paper wrapping assembly of the joint making machine shown in theinitial process of wrapping around prongs of the joint fork assembly ofthe joint making assembly;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along lines 21-21 of the joint makingmachine of FIG. 19 ;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of sealed container being ruptured bymechanism within the machine taken along lines 22-22 of the joint makingmachine of FIG. 21 ;

FIG. 23 is a rear, left side, top perspective view of the joint makingmachine of FIG. 21 , with the housing thereof being partially removed toreveal interior components thereof;

FIG. 24 is a sectional, top, front, left perspective of the joint makingmachine of FIG. 19 , with the extruder thereof aligned with the jointfork assembly and in the process of forming a joint;

FIG. 25 is a rear, right side, top perspective view of a paper wrappingassembly of the joint making machine of FIG. 19 , with the paperwrapping assembly being shown in an open configuration for replenishmentof rolling and filter paper, with FIG. 19 also showing a bearing andgear system via which the paper wrapping assembly rotatably couples tothe rest of the joint making machine;

FIG. 26 is a sectional view taken along lines 26-26 of the joint makingmachine of FIG. 19 ;

FIG. 27 is a top plan view of the joint making machine of FIG. 19 in arollout position, with cannabis being extruded from the joint makingmachine and the paper wrapping assembly shown in the process ofextending about an elongate portion of the cannabis so extruded, with ajoint shown in the process of being formed thereby;

FIG. 28 is a sectional view taken along lines 28-28 of the joint makingmachine of FIG. 27 ;

FIG. 29 is a front elevation view of the joint making machine of FIG. 27; and

FIG. 30 is a front elevation view of the joint making machine of FIG. 29, with the joint fork assembly extending outwards from the rest of thejoint making machine and a rolled cannabis joint coupled to andextending outwards therefrom.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Throughout the following description, specific details are set forth inorder to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention.However, the invention may be practiced without these particulars. Inother instances, well known elements have not been shown or described indetail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Referring to the drawings and first to FIG. 1 , there is shown anapparatus for forming a cigarette, in this example an herbal cigarette,in this case a cannabis joint, with the apparatus being in this examplea joint making machine 20. The joint making machine has a housing 24that extends along a longitudinal axis 21. Joint making machine 20comprises two coupled sub-portions 27 and 29 that are generallycylindrical in shape; however this is not strictly required. The jointmaking machine has a top 28, a bottom 30, a left side 32 and a rightside 34 spaced-apart from the left side thereof, though this is notstrictly required. The sides of joint making machine extend between thetop and bottom of the joint making machine. The joint making machineincludes a rear 36 and a front 38 spaced-apart from the rear thereof.The front and rear of the joint making machine extend between sides 32and 34 and top 28 and bottom 30 and are circular in this example, thoughthis is not strictly required.

As seen in FIG. 16 , joint making machine 20 includes a first chamber 40within interior 42 of sub-portion 27 of housing 24. Chamber 40 may bereferred to as a cannabis flower storage area. Joint making machineincludes a cartridge 46 shaped to be received within the first chamber.The cartridge is shaped to receive a herbal substance, in this examplecannabis 44 within interior 45 thereof. Cartridge 46 may be referred toas a single-use sealed cannabis container, smokable substance pod,smokable substance cartridge or cannabis cartridge. The cartridge isselectively removable from housing 24, although a non-removablecartridge or chamber may also be used in other embodiments. Cartridge 46is shaped to be received within and/or selectively couple to jointmaking machine 20. In this example, the joint making machine includes acartridge cover 48 which pivotally couples to housing 24 via hinge 50.The cartridge cover has a closed position seen in FIG. 16 and may beselectively opened in the direction shown by arrow 51, to enable accessto interior 42 via slot 43 and to position cartridge 46 within firstchamber 40 and housing 24.

As seen in FIG. 4 , cartridge 46 includes a one-way valve and sealmechanism 52 in fluid communication with interior 45 of the cartridgeand configured to enable selective removal of fluid therefrom. A vacuumnozzle fits within the valve and seal mechanism on top of the container.However, this is not strictly required and a re-fillable cartridge 46′without valve and seal mechanism 52, as seen in FIG. 6 , may be used inother embodiments.

The experience of smoking cannabis may be further enhanced if thecannabis flower remains fresh by retaining some of its naturalmoistures. This experience is one where the user can better sense thearomas associated with each cannabis strain, potentially making betteruse of the oils and terpenes. To achieve the freshness of the cannabisflower, nitrogen, an inert gas, is flushed into the single use cannabispackaging when the packaging is upside down and sliding door 60 isopened for cannabis packaging, as shown by arrow 49 seen in FIG. 5 , topush out the less dense oxidizing agent, oxygen, once cannabis has beendeposited into the cartridge during packaging. Cartridge 46 is then beclosed and sealed to extend the time in which cannabis can be keptfresh. Such a packaging system may enhance freshness for the user,extend shelf-life for producers and reduce the likelihood for cannabisto form mold. Although no set shelf-life has been determined for driedcannabis flower, as cannabis flower is a plant-based substance, it maybe susceptible to similar oxidation degradation as with any other plantor flower, especially in undesirable conditions. Therefore, it may beimportant to store cannabis flower in a sealed and dark place for longerlasting freshness to enhance the user experience. Joint making machine20 thus provides the user with the versatility to use a refillablecartridge 46′ seen in FIG. 6 as well as a single-use, nitrogen flushedand/or vacuum sealed cartridge 46 seen in FIG. 4 , which may extend bothshelf-life and the freshness of cannabis flower.

As seen in FIG. 21 , the cartridge includes an un-locking mechanism 54with single-use pod being in locked position in which access to interior47 of the cartridge is inhibited due to vacuumed seal. The un-lockingmechanism includes a first of a male member and a female member, in thisexample a female member 56. Joint making machine 20 includes a second ofthe male member and the female member, in this example a male member, inthis example a seal rupturing rod 58 shaped to be received by or piercethe female member as seen in FIG. 22 . Engagement of the female memberwith the male member causes the locking mechanism to move from thelocked or sealed position to an unlocked or unsealed position.

Cartridge 46 is configured to inhibit access to interior 47 of thecartridge until the cartridge is positioned within joint making machine20, at which point access to the interior of the chamber is enabled. Thecartridges are thus configured to only able to be unsealed throughinserting the cartridge into joint making device 20 or immediatelybefore inserting into the cannabis rolling device. This feature servesas both a child protection feature, necessary for cannabis packaging, aswell as assurance that the cannabis flower is kept most fresh untilplanned use, thus enhancing user experience.

As seen in FIG. 21 , cartridge 46 includes a door 60 that inhibitsaccess to interior 47 thereof in the locked position thereof. The dooris moveable or slidable relative to body 62 of the cartridge in thisexample to an open position upon the locking mechanism moving from thelocked position to the unlocked position. Door 60 is thus initiallyclosed and disengages from body 62 of cartridge 46 subsequent torupturing rod 58 breaking vacuum seal 59. Once the seal has been broken,or not required to be broken if reusable container is used, a mechanism,in this example protrusion 57 slides door 60 open while user is pushingthe container into place, thus enabling joint making machine 20 toaccess cannabis 44. Once the cannabis containing container has beeninserted into the slot, the slot mechanism will first break seal 59 withrod 58, then slide door 60 open for cannabis to be gravity assistedtowards initial shredders 66 and 68.

As seen in FIG. 16 , joint making machine 20 has a second chamber 64 inthis example positioned below first chamber 40. The joint making machineincludes at least one and in this example a first pair of rotatingblades or crushers 66 and 68 rotatably coupled to housing 24. Crushers66 and 68 are in fluid communication with and positioned between firstchamber 40 and second chamber 64. Each crusher includes a plurality ofradially-extending vanes, in this example four said vanes 66 a, 66 b, 66c and 66 d, with the crushers receiving cannabis between the vanes. Thevanes of opposite crushers come together as the crushes rotate inopposite directions 70 and 72, causing the portions of cannabis 44 tocrush against each other, break up into smaller portions as a resultthereof, with the smaller portions thereafter being directed to secondchamber 64. In this exemplary non-limiting embodiment crushers 66 and 68are thus rotated in opposing circular direction are used to pullcannabis material inwards and towards the second chamber while resultingin some breaking apart of large chunks of cannabis flower or bud. Thecrushers are driven an electric motors 61 as seen in FIG. 23 , andcomputer controllers placed within housing 24 seen in FIG. 16 . The flowof cannabis 44 into second chamber 64 is thus controlled by way ofblades or mechanical crushers 66 and 68 and the speed of rotationthereof.

In other embodiments cannabis 44 may be gravity assisted to the secondchamber without the need of crushers. In another embodiment, a singlerotating blade or crusher may be used to control at least in part theflow rate of cannabis from first chamber 40 to second chamber 64, whileinitially breaking apart or crushing the cannabis flowers at least inpart as they are pulled into the second chamber.

Referring to FIG. 28 , joint making machine 20 includes a combinationcutting and extrusion assembly, in this example an extruder 74. Theextruder is configured to extrude outwards therefrom broken up portionsof cannabis 76 from the shredders 96, 66 and 68 and output an elongateportion 78 of cannabis that is cylindrical in shape in this example.Extruder 74 includes a barrel 80 with a proximal end 82, an inlet 84adjacent the proximal end thereof, a distal end 86 spaced-apart from theproximal end thereof, and an outlet or nozzle 88 adjacent the distal endthereof in this example. Joint making machine 20 has a rolling orformation zone 87 adjacent nozzle 88. The barrel includes a proximalportion 90 that extends from proximal end 82 thereof towards distal end86 thereof. The proximal portion of the barrel is tubular in shape inthis example. Barrel 80 includes a distal portion 92 that extends fromdistal end 86 thereof towards proximal end 82 thereof. The distalportion of the barrel is frustoconical in outer shape in this example.

Extruder 74 includes an elongate member 94 disposed within and rotatablerelative to barrel 80. As seen in FIG. 8 , the elongate member has aproximal end 96 and a distal end 98 spaced-apart from the proximal endthereof, and a longitudinal axis 99 extending between the ends thereof.Elongate member 94 includes a proximal portion 100 extending from theproximal end towards distal end thereof. The proximal portion of theelongate member is tapered at least in part in this example. Proximalend portion 102 of elongate member 94 adjacent proximal end 96 isoutwardly concave and in this example frustoconical in shape. Theproximal end portion of the elongate member may be referred to as afirst tapered portion of the elongate member. Elongate member 94includes a distal portion 104 extending from distal end 98 towardsproximal end 96 thereof. The distal portion of elongate member istapered in this example in a direction 106 extending from the proximalend towards the distal end of the elongate member. Distal portion 104 ofelongate member 94 may be referred to as a second tapered portion of theelongate member. Proximal portion 100 of the elongate member iscylindrical in shape in a direction extending from the distal portion ofthe elongate member towards proximal end portion 102 of the elongatemember.

Extruder 74 includes a plurality of longitudinally and circumferentiallyspaced-apart protrusions 108 coupled to and radially-outwards extendingfrom proximal portion 100 of elongate member 94. The protrusions are influid communication with inlet 84 of barrel 80 seen in FIG. 28 .Proximal portion 90 of barrel extends about protrusions 108 and proximalportion 100 of elongate member 94 seen in FIG. 8 . Still referring toFIG. 8 , each protrusion has a proximal end 110 coupled to the elongatemember and a distal end 112 spaced-apart from the proximal end thereof.The distal ends of protrusions 108 are outwardly convex in this example.The protrusions have lengths that are substantially equal in size inthis example.

Each protrusion 108 is wedge-shaped or triangular in lateralcross-section in this example. Each protrusion has a first biasingsurface 114 that faces towards distal portion 104 of elongate member 94at least in part. Each first biasing surface is radially-outwardlyextending and outwardly concave in this example, with each protrusionbeing outwardly concave at least in part in lateral cross-section inthis example. Each protrusion 108 has a second biasing surface 115 thatis generally radially outwardly and forward facing. Each second biasingsurface is radially-outwardly extending and outwardly convex in thisexample. Each second biasing surface 115 extends at an acute angle βrelative to its corresponding first biasing surface 114. Each protrusion108 has a rear surface 117 that generally faces proximal end 96 ofelongate member 94 and extends between corresponding biasing surfaces114 and 115.

Protrusions 108 are arranged in one or more helical formations orarrangements having a helix angle α_(P) in this example. The protrusionsmay be considered as a first helical blade portion with a series ofcircumferentially spaced-apart and helically arranged rows of aperturesextending therethrough.

As seen in FIG. 7 , extruder 74 includes in this example a plurality ofcutting members 116. Each cutting member couples to a respectiveprotrusion 108 and extends radially outwards in this example. Eachcutting member 116 extends between a corresponding first biasing surface114 and rear surface 117 of the protrusion. The cutting members areconfigured to promote a cutting or shearing of portions of the cannabis.

Still referring to FIG. 7 , extruder 74 includes a longitudinallyextending and helically arranged blade 118 coupled to and extendingradially outwards from distal portion 104 of elongate member 94. Nozzle88 of barrel 80 seen in FIG. 28 is in fluid communication with theblade. Distal portion 92 of the barrel extends about blade 118 andextends about distal portion 104 of elongate member 94 seen in FIG. 8 .The distal portion of barrel 80 seen in FIG. 28 thus tapers in direction106 seen in FIG. 8 extending from proximal portion 100 of the elongatemember towards distal portion 102 of the elongate member. Stillreferring to FIG. 8 , blade 118 tapers in direction 106 extending fromproximal portion 100 of elongate member 94 towards distal end 98 of theelongate member. The blade and distal portion 104 of elongate member 94may be said to comprise an extrusion screw, which may in the alternativebe referred to as on its own the extruder.

Blade 118 includes a longitudinally-extending proximal end portion 120which couples to the elongate member and a longitudinally-extendingdistal end portion 122 spaced-apart from the proximal end portionthereof. The distance D between elongate member 94 and the distal endportion of blade 118 decreases in direction 106 extending from proximalend 96 of the elongate member towards distal end 98 of the elongatemember.

Longitudinally spaced-apart adjacent portions 118 a and 118 b of bladeare more spaced-apart from each other relative, in this case spaced bylength L_(F), compared to longitudinally spaced-apart adjacentprotrusions 108 a and 108 b in this example, which in this case arespaced-apart by length L_(P) though this is not strictly required.Protrusions 108 extend outwards from elongate member 94 at a greaterpitch relative to blade 118 in this example, though this is not strictlyrequired. The blade has a helix angle α_(B), with the blade extendingoutwards from elongate member 94 at a more acute angle relative to thatof the protrusions in this example. Helix angle α_(P) of protrusions isgreater than helix angle α_(B) of blade 118 in this example. Protrusions108 and blade 118 may be partially or fully helical in shape.

Referring to FIG. 16 , once cannabis 44 has been pulled into secondchamber 64, elongate member 94 will selectively rotate via an actuator,in this example dedicated electric motor 124 to which the elongatemember is coupled. Extruder 74 is responsible for at the following keyfunctions of joint making machine 20: 1) to fully or at least partiallycut cannabis flower via cutting members 116; 2) to transport materialfrom crusher region 67 towards the joint rolling or formation zone 87;3) to promote formation of cannabis material of a desired diametercorresponding to a joint diameter; and 4) creating a pressure to biasthe cannabis material outwards from nozzle 88. To achieve this, blade118 and barrel 80 tapper by an acute angle θ relative to longitudinalaxis 99, in this example with angle θ being 5 to 40 degrees, in aconical form towards desired joint diameter JD. Protrusions 108 have anangle set to promote a forward momentum as materials are cut. Thisangle, along with overall helical shape of blade 118, provide forwardmomentum to crushed the cannabis flower as elongate member 94 rotatesabout its axis 99. The tapered part of the helical blade 118 and distalportion 92 of barrel 80 promote extrusion of freshly cut cannabis flowertowards a desired joint diameter JD while creating pressure necessaryfor a packed joint to be formed.

As seen in FIG. 28 , joint making machine 20 includes an end memberassembly, in this example a joint fork assembly 126 positioned toprovide a space or distance of separation 127 for cannabis 44 soextruded. The joint fork assembly may be referred to as a stoppingmember assembly. As seen in FIG. 10 , joint fork assembly 126 has aproximal end 130, a distal end 132 spaced-apart from the proximal endthereof, a longitudinal axis 133 extending between the ends thereof, anda housing 134 extending from the proximal end towards the distal endthereof. The joint fork assembly includes an end member, in this examplea bifurcated member 136, which may be referred to as a joint fork orgripping member. The bifurcated member includes a base 138 with a pairof prongs 140 and 142 which extends outwards therefrom towards distalend 132 of joint fork assembly 126. A magnet 155 is placed in base 138that enables positional accuracy of the gap between 140 and 142 andpaper dispenser 158 when in home position where the magnet is situatedabove a hall effect sensor 173, as seen in FIG. 21 . Referring to FIG.10 , bifurcated member 136 includes a shaft 144 that extends outwardsfrom base 138 in a direction opposite the prongs. The shaft has a lengthL_(S) which is longer than the length of L_(M) of the stepper motor.Shaft 144 has a diameter Ds that may fit through the bored hole 152 ofthe stepper motor's drive shaft 154 in this example; however, this isnot strictly required.

Base 138 of bifurcated member 136 is resiliently coupled to mount 146,with resilient member, in this example coil spring 148 biasing thebifurcated member outwards. A depressing force 156 exerted on bifurcatedmember 136 opposite that of the coil spring, enables the bifurcatedmember to retract linearly up to a distance DB. Joint fork assembly 126includes an actuator, in this example a stepper motor 128 that slidablyreceives therethrough and coupled to shaft 144. The motor is configuredto selectively rotate bifurcated member 136 including prongs 140 and 142thereof via the shaft.

The joint's pressure during roll out or extrusion (or the extent towhich the cannabis is pressed within the joint or compacted) iscontrollable via a sensor during the extrusion phase in thisnon-limiting embodiment. Referring to FIG. 28 , first points of contactof the crushed cannabis 44 extruded from extruder 74 via nozzle 88comprise prongs 140 and 142 of bifurcated member 136. This applies forceto a force pressure sensor 150 seen in FIG. 10 located adjacent proximalend of housing 134. However, this is not strictly required and otheradaptations of sensors, pressure sensors or otherwise, may be employedin other embodiments. Pressure sensor 150 in this embodiment is locatedbehind the stepper motor 128 that is rotating bifurcated member 136 asthe joint grows horizontally. The stepped motor may be referred to as asecond actuator. Shaft 144 of bifurcated member 136 transfers axialpressure force to the pressure sensor. Pressure sensor 150 thus couplesto the bifurcated member. Referring to FIG. 10 , bifurcated member 136is spring loaded to mount 146 via coil spring 148 for sensor 150 tomaintain an unpressurized equilibrium at standby. In this non-limitingembodiment, shaft 144 is long enough to go through bored shaft 154 ofmotor 128 to transfer axial force 156 exerted by helical blade 118buildup of crushed cannabis flower, to the pressure force sensor 150behind the electric stepper motor 128. The force pressure sensor, orother adaptations of flow/pressure sensors, may be comprise the mainfeedback to control and coordinate a number of motor speeds responsiblefor perceived continual growth rate of the joint and pressure thereof.

The pressure sensor is configured to convey or emit a signal 151indicative of the extent to which pressure exists between extruder 74and bifurcated member 136 in FIG. 28 , during rollout phase. Referringback to FIG. 10 , the pressure sensor is also configured to convey asignal indicative of the extent to which cannabis 44 biases againstbifurcated member 136. Upon the sensor 150 reaching a predeterminedthreshold of maximum pressure, paper winding assembly 126 is retractedaway from the extruder 74, along with other actuators programed tomaintain speeds needed for perceived joint growth, result in maintainingjoint pressure within a desired predetermined range throughout rolloutphase.

As seen in FIG. 27 , joint making machine 20 includes a paper feedcomponent 158 that when combined with joint fork component 126, it maybe referred to as a paper winding assembly. The paper feed component isconfigured to extend a paper 160 about the cannabis 44 as it isextruded, while joint fork 136 pulls the paper as stepper motor 128spins about its axis. The rotation of the joint fork 136 is proportionalto increasing distance between it and extrusion 74. The combination ofthese components results in the paper wrapping assembly. As seen inFIGS. and 26, paper feed assembly 158 includes a housing 162 comprisingtwo halves 157 and 159 pivotally coupled together via hinge 167 and thatmay be selectively opened. The housing is shaped to mount a roll ofpaper 160 therewithin, with the roll of paper being rotatably receivedvia shaft 164 of motor 171. Paper feed assembly 158 is rotatablerelative to housing 24 of joint making machine 20 seen in FIG. 1 via agear assembly 166 seen in FIG. 25 in this example. The gear assemblyincludes a ring gear 168 to which housing 162 of paper wrapping assembly158 rotatably couples via bearings 169 seen in FIG. 21 . Referring backto FIG. 25 , gear assembly 166 includes a planetary gear 170 thatengages with the ring gear. As seen in FIG. 12 , joint making machine 20includes an actuator, in this example a stepper motor 172 with a driveshaft 174 coupled to the planet gear. Selective rotation of the steppermotor causes paper feed assembly 158 to move from an initial or homeposition seen in FIG. 1 to a joint rolling phase position seen in FIG.27 .

As seen in FIG. 27 , paper 160 is selectively extendable outwards frompaper feed component 158 so as to span at least in part elongate portion78 of cannabis 44. Paper wrapping assembly is arranged to unroll thepaper at a non-perpendicular angle Ω relative to joint fork assembly 126and axes 26, 99 and 133. Paper 160 includes a water activated adhesive161 along a distal end portion 163 thereof. However, this is notstrictly required and the adhesive may be arranged along the paper inother patterns and locations in other examples. Alternatively, anadhesive may be used that requires no moisture.

As seen in FIG. 1 , joint making machine 20 may include a user interface176. Alternatively, the user interface may be a smart phone operated onewhere a graphic user interface may provide detailed adjustments fordesired degree of compactness of the cigarette or joint to be formed.User interface 176 or smart phone enabled interface may also receiveinput regarding a desired length of the joint, or desired joint lengthdata.

As seen in FIG. 27 , joint making machine 20 includes at least oneactuator, in this example a linear actuator 177, in this case in theform a lead screw 178 and linear bearing and guide 180, with the leadscrew being motor-driven and the linear bearings couples to the base ofthe joint fork component 126. The linear actuator may be referred to asa first actuator. Joint fork assembly 126 couples to lead screw 178 inthis example and has a first position or paper-gripping position seen inFIG. 21 , in which the joint fork assembly is axially offset from axis26 and positioned adjacent and below nozzle 88. The joint fork componentis configured to be moveable via the lead screw and linear guide fromthe first, home position to a position seen in FIG. 21 in which axis 133of joint fork assembly 126 is coaxial with axis 26 of joint makingmachine 20. The joint fork component is configured to be moveable fromthe second position to a third position, shown in dotted lines as 182 inFIG. 28 , in which the joint fork assembly remains coaxial with thejoint making machine but in which the joint fork assembly is furtheraxially spaced from nozzle 88. The second and third positions may bereferred to as paper rolling positions in which bifurcated member 136 ofjoint fork assembly 126 aligns with elongate portion 78 of cannabis 44.Selective actuation of linear actuator 177 varies the distance ofseparation between the extruder and joint fork assembly 126 and thus alength of the cigarette or joint.

As seen in FIG. 1 , joint making machine 20 includes a microprocessor184. The microprocessor is in communication with extruder 74, userinterface 176, sensor 150 and the various actuators of the joint makingmachine including linear actuator 177 seen in FIG. 28 . Referring backto FIG. 1 , the microprocessor is configured to cause the extruder to beinoperable upon the microprocessor determining that the joint hasreached a predetermined length. Microprocessor 184 is in communicationwith user interface 176 and may be in wireless communications with usersmart-phones and is configured to determine a range of predeterminedthresholds of sensor 150 in response thereto, depending on whether theuser wants a slow-burning compact joint or a more loosely packednormal-burn joint, for example. Microprocessor 184 correlates thedesired compactness data with the predetermined pressure threshold andcommands the linear actuator 177 to retreat once pressure has exceededsaid thresholds.

The microprocessor is configured to also cause distance of separation127 seen in FIG. 28 between extruder 74 and joint fork assembly 126 toalter in response user-inputted desired joint length data while usingpressure sensor as the que to increase length thus avoidingover-compaction. Microprocessor 184 thus receives desired compactnessand length of joint data and controls positioning of joint fork assembly126 via linear actuator 177 and operation of the extruder to adjust thecompactness and length of the smokable substance so extruded in responseto user input data correlated to the pressure sensor 150. Themicroprocessor causes the extent to which extruder 74 extrudes cannabis44 and the extent to which joint fork assembly 126 and the extruder arespaced-apart from each other to be selectively adjusted based onend-user provided joint length and/or compactness data. Microprocessor184 thus causes the extent to which the extruder extrudes cannabis 44and the extent to which the joint fork assembly and the extruder arespaced-apart from each other to be adjusted based on end-user providedjoint length and compactness data. In one example, microprocessordetermines when pressure sensor 150 reaches or exceeds a predeterminedthreshold in a first instance and in response thereto causes linearactuator 177 to alter the distance of separation between the joint forkassembly 126 and extruder 74 proportionate to the desired length data.

In operation and referring to FIG. 1 , once a user command to roll a newjoint has been received via user interface 176 (which may be a remoteserver, mobile phone or otherwise in communication with microprocessor184), a sequence of electric motor driven motions take place. Initially,prior to any cannabis flower shearing, paper feed assembly 158 willextrude rolling paper 160 and filter paper 165 as seen in FIG. 26 .

The initial paper feed sequence purpose is to form the filtered end ofthe cannabis containing joint or rod around the joint fork 136. Thissequence will take place in the default home position of the machineseen in FIGS. 20 and 21 , when paper feed component's paper extrusion isaligned with gap 141 extending between prongs 140 and 142. This sequenceof motors and parts in motion have the purpose of feeding both rollingpaper and a filter into what will become the beginning of the jointformation. Filter paper 165 and rolling paper 160 of FIG. 26 , will feedthrough paper feed component 158 by way of electric motors, in thisexample small stepper motors 186 and 171 respectively located within thepaper feed assembly. The filters 165 will be in predetermined dimensionsspecific for the machine and placed on a tray which enables contact withfilter wheel 187 as seen in FIG. 26 . The rotation of said wheel willpropel filter paper 165 towards a ramp 188, in this embodiment. Thefilter will thus be guided towards the main paper wheels 164.Subsequently, the paper and filter will be extruded as motor 171 driveswheels 164. Therefore, the filter paper wheel 187 is only responsible toexert enough rotational force to propel one filter paper 165 towardsmain wheels 164. The motors are in communication with and selectivelycontrolled and actuated via microprocessor 184 seen in FIG. 1 . Onceboth rolling paper 160 and filter paper 165 have been fed through gap141 of bifurcated member 136 seen in FIG. 20 , the microprocessor causesthe bifurcated member to rotate via its stepper motor 128 seen in FIG.10 . Paper feed assembly 158 seen in FIG. 20 remains stationary in itshome position while feeding additional rolling paper to account forbifurcated member's rotations until the filter and paper have been woundby and about prongs of 136. Bifurcated member 136 winds the paper aroundit with some tension as its stepper motor 128 seen in FIG. 10 causes itto rotate, while adequate paper is being fed by paper wrapping assembly158 to account for the rotations of the bifurcated member.

Once enough paper 160 and filter paper 165 has been wound around thebifurcated member, joint fork assembly 126 begins its horizontal retreatand track 199 assisted vertical climb to reach axial alignment withextrusion nozzle 88 seen in FIG. 28 . This track assisted climb isachieved through a base 234 whereon joint fork component 126 rests onits pivot arms 235 a and 235 b with pinions on each end as seen on FIG.9 . The base 234 has small wheels 236 which rolls on track 199 as seenin FIG. 28 , this part is coupled to the first actuator by way of alinear bearings 22 within base 234 and cylindrical rod 21 on either sideof the joint fork component 126, as seen in FIG. 27 .

As the joint fork component begins to retreat away from nozzle 88,microprocessor 184 actuates stepper motor 172 seen in FIG. 25 to rotatepaper wrapping assembly 158 around extrusion nozzle 88 seen in FIG. 27via ring gear 166 and planetary gear 170. The rotation of paper wrappingassembly may be as small as 45 degrees and up to a continuous rotationaround the extrusion zone; however, in this non-limiting embodiment, thepaper feed assembly will rotate from its default home position seen inFIG. 1 , by roughly 190 degrees as seen in FIG. 27 and remain at thatposition for the remainder of rollout phase.

As seen in FIG. 26 , joint making machine 20 includes a water reservoir190, a conduit 192 in fluid communication with the water reservoir and apump, in this example an electric motor controlled peristaltic pump 194seen in FIG. 23 in communication with microprocessor 184 seen in FIG. 1. Referring back to FIG. 25 , water from the water reservoir isselectively directed via the pump towards distal edge portion 163 ofpaper 160 to active adhesive 161. During this stage, the adhesive may beactivated by supplying a small amount of water from the water reservoirby way of pump 194. Moisture activated adhesive 161 may provide furtherstability for the outer layers of the newly formed filtered tip of thejoint being made.

Water pump 194 is activated via microprocessor 184 seen in FIG. 1 whenpaper feed assembly 158 is in its rolling phase position seen in FIG. 27as the paper is extruded from paper feed assembly. The pump may beactivated to supply water to a small water bowl on the edge of the paperfeed assembly; however, other arrangements may be used.

Referring back to FIG. 26 , either in or at the edge of the small waterbowl will be a water presence sensor 205: in this adaptation, two wires201 and 203 are used to detect the presence of water once water fillsthe gap between the two wires to allow for electric current to flow. Theflow of electric current between these wires in combination with acomputer control system, in this case microprocessor 184 seen in FIG. 1, is used to detect the presence of water as water bridges the gapbetween the wires. If rolling paper 160 has a moisture activatedadhesive 161, it will be necessary to wet the natural gum or othermoisture activated adhesives on the rolling paper's edge 163.Consequently, the water presence sensor in the form of wires 201 and203, along with pump 194 will ensure the presence of water along thepaper's edge during continuous rollout of the joint.

Referring to FIG. 28 , as diced cannabis 44 exit extruder 74 withpressure from nozzle 88, the extent to which the cannabis is biasedoutwards is measured by pressure force sensor 150 and this pressurereading will be the primary control parameter of horizontal movement ofthe joint fork assembly 126. Given that axial or horizontal movement ofthe joint fork assembly away from the extrusion zone 87 will reducepressure applied to sensor 150, the growth rate of the joint will begoverned via microprocessor 184 seen in FIG. 1 by maintaining pressure,within a desirable range, between extrusion nozzle 88 and bifurcatedmember 136. Pressure requirements can be set to one or more desiredrange settings via user interface 176 seen in FIG. 1 . With adjustmentsin settings, the user may adjust pressure of crushed cannabis within thejoint to experience either a packed ‘slow burn’ setting or less packed‘normal burn’ setting, although other settings may be prescribed. Axialor horizontal movement of linear actuator 177 seen in FIG. 28 will occurwhen the value range of pressure goes beyond unacceptable pressure valueagainst sensor 150, for set pressure settings. When pressure withinjoint 210, in this non-limiting embodiment, transferred to the sensor byshaft 144 through the bored shaft 152 of stepper motor 128 seen in FIG.10 , exceeds a desired pressure value, microprocessor 184 seen in FIG. 1will thus cause the joint fork assembly 126 to retreat horizontally andaway from nozzle 88, while bifurcated member 136 rotates to maintain aroughly consistent pitch of the overlapping helical paper 160 as thepaper is wound around the extruded freshly cut smokable herbs.

Stepper motor 128 is selectively actuated by microprocessor 184 seen inFIG. 1 , which causes paper 160 to rotate about elongate portion 78 ofcannabis 44 as it is extruded from extruder 74. The stepper motor whenactuated thus causes a first of paper feed assembly 158 and joint forkassembly 126 to rotate relative to a second of the paper wrappingassembly and the gripping member. Actuation of stepper motor 128 causespaper 160 to extend about nozzle outer wall and cannabis as the cannabisis extruded. The paper is thus selectively extendable outwards frompaper feed assembly 158 so as to span at least in part about elongateportion 78 of cannabis 44 so extruded to make up the paper wrappingassembly. This results in growth of the rolled joint.

As the joint grows, a number of motors are in motion based on the growthrate prescribed by sensor 150, the desired diameter of the joint andpitch of the overlapping helical rolled paper, in this embodiment thepressure sensor or other sensors in other adaptations. The motors inmotion and selectively controlled by microprocessor 184 seen in FIG. 1include motors 61 associated with crushers 66 and 68 seen in FIG. 23that feed additional semi-crushed cannabis to second chamber 64, motor124 turning elongate member 94, protrusions 108 and blade 118 andsupplying additional crushed material through nozzle 88, paper feedmotor 171 seen in FIG. 28 and FIG. 25 respectively; stepper motor 128seen in FIG. 10 providing tension around the rolled joint concurrentlywith required rotations for perceived horizontal growth of the jointduring its horizontal retreat. All motors synchronize rotation, withreasonable margins of error, to wind a continuous roll of rolling paper160 around nozzle 88 exterior and towards the circumference of extruded,elongate portion 78 of crushed cannabis 44 or smokable herbs, as seen inFIG. 27 . The crushed flower is simultaneously being pressurized betweenextrusion nozzle 88 and bifurcated member 136, within rolling papertension provided by controlled rotation of the joint fork assembly 126,as seen in FIG. 28 . Exterior edge 89 of nozzle, along with othermechanical guides, may be used to guide the paper 160 around the nozzleand into an overlapping helix shape to overlap adhesive paper on woundpaper, as seen in FIG. 28 .

Once the joint rollout phase has been completed subsequent to joint forkassembly's desired horizontal movement away from cannabis extrusionnozzle 88, the final sequence will take place to finish the cannabiscontaining rod or joint. First, the continuous rolling paper 160 needsto be cut. In this adaptation, paper feed assembly 158 seen in FIG. 26includes a cutting member or blade 196 a placed on a micro-linearactuator 179 in contact with a stationary blade 196 b. 196 a is attachedto a hinge and track system, with the track being connected to motor197, as seen in FIG. 26 . The horizontal movement of the micro actuatorwill then be transferred to a scissor-like movement of 196 a upon thestationary 196 b, although a multitude of other adaptations may be usedwithin the paper feed assembly in this non-limiting adaptation.Microprocessor 184 seen in FIG. 1 is in communication with the steppermotor and selectively causes the blade seen in FIG. 26 to cut off thepaper 160 so rotated about elongate portion 78 of cannabis 44 seen inFIG. 27 , from the rest of the paper disposed within paper wrappingassembly 158.

Once the paper has been cut by way of the blade and horizontal andvertical movement across the paper, water sensor 205 seen in FIG. 26will stop requiring water presence from pump 194. The pump may wind inreverse to create reverse pressure within the water feed tube or conduit192. Subsequently, the end piece of rolling paper will finish its windaround the finished joint 210 seen in FIG. 27 . To ensure the paperstays within prescribed path, subsequent to being cut, a physical paperprotrusion or guide 212 is used, as seen in FIG. 27 , fixed to the sameplanetary gear system used for paper feed assembly. This paper guide 212is situated around nozzle 88 at about 190 degrees from home position toguide paper around the nozzle in this example. Guide 212 includes adistal end portion 213 that is slanted in this example and shaped and topromote adhering of paper 160 about cannabis 44.

As joint fork assembly 126 is axially horizontally retreating fromextrusion nozzle 88 while continuously rotating in the same direction asit had been since the start of the paper feed sequence to ensure a tightrolled cannabis containing material, microprocessor 184 seen in FIG. 1in the final phase will stop flow/extrusion of crushed flower and cutoff the paper within paper feed assembly via 158 stepper motor 179 seenin FIG. 26 and described herein, and end of paper wound around theexisting joint. At this state there will be a small hollow space leftnear the end of the joint as the joint fork assembly 126 continues itsretreat.

Subsequently and referring to FIG. 30 , the horizontal movement awayfrom the extrusion zone will continue towards the end where the jointfork assembly 126 may turn from horizontal, roughly 45 degrees, to avertical position through as it's pivot's pinions 235 a and 235 b oneither side, as seen in FIG. 9 , engages with rack 220 a and 220 b oneither side of the tracks to rotate the component as it's base 234continues its horizontal movement away from the nozzle, in thisnon-limiting embodiment. This vertical positioning is achieved throughusing the horizontal drive force of actuator coupler 180 seen in FIG. 28to a semi-rack 220 a and 220 b and pinion gear 235 a and 235 b aspartially seen in FIG. 24 , where said horizontal force can be used torotate the joint fork assembly roughly 45 degrees to its final verticalposition, for easy access to the finished joint 210 seen in FIG. 30 . Atthis stage, the user may choose to twist off the finished joint and pullthe joint off of the joint fork assembly 126. Joint making machine 20 asdescribed herein would then return to their home position on usercommand as seen in FIG. 1 , ready to create the next joint.

Many advantages result from the structure of the present invention. Thejoint making machine 20 and method has been designed for end consumersas a home appliance with the purpose of storing, crushing and rollingindividual cannabis containing joints or rods, on command, with enoughsupplies to accommodate multiple joint formations. This apparatus isalso designed such that paper refills are not necessary for 2 to 200 (ormore) joints or rods. Therefore, this apparatus requires minimalmaintenance to provide an enhanced experience for end-users.

Referring to FIG. 16 , joint making machine 20 as herein described maythus, on user command, allow cannabis flowers to move from a storage podor cartridge 46 to a crushing main shearing chamber 64 through a poweredmechanism, in this example crushers 66 and 68, whereby initial cuttingof large cannabis buds 44 will occur through the initial shredder whiledepositing chunks of cannabis buds towards the main cylindrical shearingchamber or extruder 74 wherein a helical or partially helical set ofprotrusions 108 and blades 118 will spin rapidly to simultaneouslyshear, break apart and transport cannabis flowers while pressurizingcrushed material towards extrusion nozzle 88. As such, cannabis budshearing may occur through any combination of the mentioned cuttingblades. Immediately after the nozzle extrusion, the crushed cannabisflower will fill the hollow space of paper being wound around the nozzlefrom a continuous roll of paper, through mechanisms described herein,for paper and adhesive thereof to overlap in a helical shape, from itsfilter base towards a finished cannabis containing rod or joint.

Aspects of the invention provide a joint making machine and method ofautomatically crushing and rolling cannabis into customizable joints orrods complete with a filter, doing so with enough supplies within theapparatus for multiple joints or rods. This is achieved by way ofadequate storage capacity for enough cannabis and papers for multiplejoints and a fully automated cannabis joint making machine. Initiationof a joint is activated with single user command to go through asequence of electric motor driven motions necessary within the system,to make a desired joint.

Where a component (e.g. a software module, processor, assembly, device,circuit, etc.) is referred to herein, unless otherwise indicated,reference to that component (including a reference to a “means”) shouldbe interpreted as including as equivalents of that component anycomponent which performs the function of the described component (i.e.,that is functionally equivalent), including components which are notstructurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs thefunction in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention may be implemented using specificallydesigned hardware, configurable hardware, programmable data processorsconfigured by the provision of software (which may optionally comprise“firmware”) capable of executing on the data processors, special purposecomputers or data processors that are specifically programmed,configured, or constructed to perform one or more steps in a method asexplained in detail herein and/or combinations of two or more of these.Examples of specifically designed hardware are: logic circuits,application-specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), large scaleintegrated circuits (“LSIs”), very large scale integrated circuits(“VLSIs”), and the like. Examples of configurable hardware are: one ormore programmable logic devices such as programmable array logic(“PALs”), programmable logic arrays (“PLAs”), and field programmablegate arrays (“FPGAs”). Examples of programmable data processors are:microprocessors, digital signal processors (“DSPs”), embeddedprocessors, graphics processors, math co-processors, general purposecomputers, server computers, cloud computers, mainframe computers,computer workstations, and the like. For example, one or more dataprocessors in a control circuit for a device may implement methods asdescribed herein by executing software instructions in a program memoryaccessible to the processors.

Processing may be centralized or distributed. Where processing isdistributed, information including software and/or data may be keptcentrally or distributed. Such information may be exchanged betweendifferent functional units by way of a communications network, such as aLocal Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or the Internet,wired or wireless data links, electromagnetic signals, or other datacommunication channel.

The invention may also be provided in the form of a program product. Theprogram product may comprise any non-transitory medium which carries aset of computer-readable instructions which, when executed by a dataprocessor, cause the data processor to execute a method of theinvention. Program products according to the invention may be in any ofa wide variety of forms. The program product may comprise, for example,non-transitory media such as magnetic data storage media includingfloppy diskettes, hard disk drives, optical data storage media includingCD ROMs, DVDs, electronic data storage media including ROMs, flash RAM,EPROMs, hardwired or preprogrammed chips (e.g., EEPROM semiconductorchips), nanotechnology memory, or the like. The computer-readablesignals on the program product may optionally be compressed orencrypted.

In some embodiments, the invention may be implemented in software. Forgreater clarity, “software” includes any instructions executed on aprocessor, and may include (but is not limited to) firmware, residentsoftware, microcode, code for configuring a configurable logic circuit,applications, apps, and the like. Both processing hardware and softwaremay be centralized or distributed (or a combination thereof), in wholeor in part, as known to those skilled in the art. For example, softwareand other modules may be accessible via local memory, via a network, viaa browser or other application in a distributed computing context, orvia other means suitable for the purposes described above.

Software and other modules may reside on servers, workstations, personalcomputers, tablet computers, and other devices suitable for the purposesdescribed herein.

Interpretation of Terms

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims:

-   -   “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an        inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense;        that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”;    -   “connected”, “coupled”, or any variant thereof, means any        connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two        or more elements; the coupling or connection between the        elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof;    -   “herein”, “above”, “below”, and words of similar import, when        used to describe this specification, shall refer to this        specification as a whole, and not to any particular portions of        this specification;    -   “or”, in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of        the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in        the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of        the items in the list;    -   the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” also include the meaning        of any appropriate plural forms. These terms (“a”, “an”, and        “the”) mean one or more unless stated otherwise;    -   “and/or” is used to indicate one or both stated cases may occur,        for example A and/or B includes both (A and B) and (A or B);    -   “approximately” when applied to a numerical value means the        numerical value ±10%;    -   where a feature is described as being “optional” or “optionally”        present or described as being present “in some embodiments” it        is intended that the present disclosure encompasses embodiments        where that feature is present and other embodiments where that        feature is not necessarily present and other embodiments where        that feature is excluded. Further, where any combination of        features is described in this application this statement is        intended to serve as antecedent basis for the use of exclusive        terminology such as “solely,” “only” and the like in relation to        the combination of features as well as the use of “negative”        limitation(s)” to exclude the presence of other features; and    -   “first” and “second” are used for descriptive purposes and        cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative        importance or indicating the number of indicated technical        features.

Words that indicate directions such as “vertical”, “transverse”,“horizontal”, “upward”, “downward”, “forward”, “backward”, “inward”,“outward”, “left”, “right”, “front”, “back”, “top”, “bottom”, “below”,“above”, “under”, and the like, used in this description and anyaccompanying claims (where present), depend on the specific orientationof the apparatus described and illustrated. The subject matter describedherein may assume various alternative orientations. Accordingly, thesedirectional terms are not strictly defined and should not be interpretednarrowly.

Where a range for a value is stated, the stated range includes allsub-ranges of the range. It is intended that the statement of a rangesupports the value being at an endpoint of the range as well as at anyintervening value to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit of therange, as well as any subrange or sets of sub ranges of the range unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise or any portion(s) of the statedrange is specifically excluded. Where the stated range includes one orboth endpoints of the range, ranges excluding either or both of thoseincluded endpoints are also included in the invention.

Certain numerical values described herein are preceded by “about”. Inthis context, “about” provides literal support for the exact numericalvalue that it precedes, the exact numerical value ±5%, as well as allother numerical values that are near to or approximately equal to thatnumerical value. Unless otherwise indicated a particular numerical valueis included in “about” a specifically recited numerical value where theparticular numerical value provides the substantial equivalent of thespecifically recited numerical value in the context in which thespecifically recited numerical value is presented. For example, astatement that something has the numerical value of “about 10” is to beinterpreted as: the set of statements:

-   -   in some embodiments the numerical value is 10;    -   in some embodiments the numerical value is in the range of 9.5        to 10.5;        and if from the context the person of ordinary skill in the art        would understand that values within a certain range are        substantially equivalent to 10 because the values with the range        would be understood to provide substantially the same result as        the value 10 then “about 10” also includes:    -   in some embodiments the numerical value is in the range of C to        D where C and D are respectively lower and upper endpoints of        the range that encompasses all of those values that provide a        substantial equivalent to the value 10

Specific examples of systems, methods and apparatus have been describedherein for purposes of illustration. These are only examples. Thetechnology provided herein can be applied to systems other than theexample systems described above. Many alterations, modifications,additions, omissions, and permutations are possible within the practiceof this invention. This invention includes variations on describedembodiments that would be apparent to the skilled addressee, includingvariations obtained by: replacing features, elements and/or acts withequivalent features, elements and/or acts; mixing and matching offeatures, elements and/or acts from different embodiments; combiningfeatures, elements and/or acts from embodiments as described herein withfeatures, elements and/or acts of other technology; and/or omittingcombining features, elements and/or acts from described embodiments.

As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading thisdisclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustratedherein has discrete components and features which may be readilyseparated from or combined with the features of any other describedembodiment(s) without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Any aspects described above in reference to apparatus may also apply tomethods and vice versa.

Any recited method can be carried out in the order of events recited orin any other order which is logically possible. For example, whileprocesses or blocks are presented in a given order, alternative examplesmay perform routines having steps, or employ systems having blocks, in adifferent order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved,added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide alternative orsubcombinations. Each of these processes or blocks may be implemented ina variety of different ways. Also, while processes or blocks are attimes shown as being performed in series, these processes or blocks mayinstead be performed in parallel, simultaneously or at different times.

Various features are described herein as being present in “someembodiments”. Such features are not mandatory and may not be present inall embodiments. Embodiments of the invention may include zero, any oneor any combination of two or more of such features. All possiblecombinations of such features are contemplated by this disclosure evenwhere such features are shown in different drawings and/or described indifferent sections or paragraphs. This is limited only to the extentthat certain ones of such features are incompatible with other ones ofsuch features in the sense that it would be impossible for a person ofordinary skill in the art to construct a practical embodiment thatcombines such incompatible features. Consequently, the description that“some embodiments” possess feature A and “some embodiments” possessfeature B should be interpreted as an express indication that theinventors also contemplate embodiments which combine features A and B(unless the description states otherwise or features A and B arefundamentally incompatible). This is the case even if features A and Bare illustrated in different drawings and/or mentioned in differentparagraphs, sections or sentences.

Additional Description

Examples of joint forming machines have been described. The followingclauses are offered as further description.

-   -   1) An apparatus and method for automatic making of single        cannabis containing rods or joints, with storage capacity of        consumables for multiple joints. This is provided via through        use of multiple electric motors, controllers and computer, the        apparatus comprising: a storage chamber where uncrushed cannabis        flowers may be stored, said chamber may be removable or        non-removable. In this exemplary embodiment, the chamber is        removable and inserted within a slot. Additionally, other        one-time use pre-packaged cannabis container may also be        inserted into the same slot. A first set of crushers allows flow        of cannabis flower into the second, main transporting chamber. A        second chamber is provided wherein a helical or partially        helically structured blade with numerous cutting blades on its        outer circumference are spun rapidly around the main structures        axis, run by a DC motor, to crush cannabis flowers, concurrently        push and pressurize the crushed flowers towards extrusion and        paper rolling area. A tapered portion of the helical blade and        chamber reduces its diameter in a conical shape towards a        desired extrusion diameter. There is a paper rolling area        situated immediately after the main extruding nozzle comprising        a paper feed assembly located around the cannabis extrusion        nozzle, feeding filter paper and a continuous roll of rolling        paper, activating moisture enabled adhesive and cutting rolling        paper while able to rotate partially or fully around the        extrusion nozzle.    -   2) There is provided a joint fork assembly of the rolling area        able to mechanically wind paper and filter, fed by paper feed        assembly, concurrently rotating and retreating from the nozzle        extrusion, to enable perceived joint growth within the paper        rolling area.    -   3) There is provided a pressure sensor incorporated within the        joint fork assembly to evaluate internal compaction pressure of        the forming cannabis containing joint or rod and serve as        control sensor for the system to define rolling speed.    -   4) There is provided a slot within the joint making machine        wherein a cannabis container may fit within it, comprising a        mechanism to open the cannabis container during insertion of        either a refillable cannabis container or a one-time-use sealed        container. There is further included a seal breaking mechanism        whereby said container breaks its seal as it is inserted into        the slot.    -   5) There is provided a one-time-use sealed cannabis container,        comprising of a vacuum seal mechanism whereby the container may        be nitrogen flushed and vacuum sealed.    -   6) There is provided mechanical crushers or shredder using        rotation motion of the crusher to pull uncrushed cannabis flower        towards the second chamber and controlling flow rate.    -   7) There is provided a second chamber comprising of a blade        having a helical base shape, either fully or partially helical,        possessing a number of cutting blades along the outer        circumference of the helical structure, angled such that a        forward force is created on freshly cut cannabis subsequent to        being cut. Said chamber and blade combine to crush cannabis        flower push material forward and extruded with pressure through        the main extrusion nozzle.    -   8) There provided a cutting blade fitting within its housing in        the chamber, comprising of tapered angle from 5° to 60° off the        horizontal, in a conical shape to reduce chamber and blade        diameter towards desired joint diameter.    -   9) There is provided a paper rolling area comprising two main        assemblies, a paper feed assembly and a joint fork assembly,        working together to roll a continuous roll of paper around the        extrusion nozzle and freshly crushed cannabis flower.    -   10) There is provided a paper feed assembly comprising storage        space for a roll of rolling paper and predefined filter paper.        Said assembly also carries out tasks of providing water on        moisture activated adhesives, if such paper is used, and cutting        the rolling paper. Said assembly being attached to a concentric        gear system allowing the assembly to make partial or full or        repeated rotations around the main extrusion nozzle. In this        exemplary adaptation, paper feed is tilted between 1-40 degrees        once reaching its 190 degree rotation point, allowing for        rolling paper to better form an overlapping helical structure to        overlap adhesive with paper.    -   11) There is provided a paper feed and winding system that        guides the paper to form an overlapping helical arrangement        around the freshly cut cannabis containing material extruded        from the main nozzle.    -   12) There is provided a paper winding system comprising two or        more prongs to capture fed papers initially aligned to go        through the prongs of the joint fork assembly. Wound papers        around the joint fork forming the initial part of the joint by        way of turning the fed rolling paper and filter around its axis        one or more times after both rolling paper and filter have been        fed through the fork gap. When adjacent to the main extrusion        nozzle and once paper feed assembly has rotated from its initial        position, joint fork assembly concurrently winds paper by way of        its dedicated step motor, while providing tension to the paper        and retreating to relieve pressure buildup from extruded crushed        cannabis containing materials.    -   13) There is provided a joint fork assembly comprising of a        shaft, in this case centre shaft, to transfer horizontal force        to pressure sensor situated within the joint fork assembly, in        this case opposing side of the stepper motor through the bored        hole within the stepper motor's main shaft.    -   14) There is provided a pressure sensor guiding all moving        motors during the growth phase of the joint to create a pressure        dependent joint formation, thus allowing customizable joint        lengths and pressures.    -   15) There is provided a joint fork system movable from a        horizontal to a vertical position, with the finished joint        attached and complete, as the final sequence indicating a        finished joint    -   16) Apparatus including any new and inventive feature,        combination of features, or sub-combination of features as        described herein.    -   17) Methods including any new and inventive steps, acts,        combination of steps and/or acts or sub-combination of steps        and/or acts as described herein.

It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claimshereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications,permutations, additions, omissions, and sub-combinations as mayreasonably be inferred. The scope of the claims should not be limited bythe preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be giventhe broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

1-76. (canceled)
 77. An apparatus for forming a cigarette, the apparatuscomprising: at least one blade to cut and shear a smokable substancecomprising plant matter; an extruder via which the smokable substance isselectively extruded; an end member positioned to provide a space forthe smokable substance so extruded; and a sensor configured to provide asignal indicative of the extent to which the smokable substance isbiased towards the end member to guide a rate at which paper is woundaround the smokable substance so extruded.
 78. An apparatus according toclaim 77, including a microprocessor in communication with the sensorand causing operation of the extruder and one or more other motors andactuators to be altered upon the microprocessor determining that thesensor has reached a predetermined threshold.
 79. An apparatus accordingto claim 77, including a microprocessor to allow for a user interfacewhich receives input regarding a desired degree of compactness of thecigarette.
 80. An apparatus according to claim 79, wherein themicroprocessor is in communication with the user interface anddetermines or varies a predetermined threshold of the sensor in responsethereto.
 81. An apparatus according to claim 79, wherein themicroprocessor is in communication with the user interface, theextruder, one or more paper propelling said motors, a paper winding saidmotor, the actuator and the sensor, with the microprocessor correlatingthe desired compactness data with a predetermined pressure threshold ofthe sensor and adjusting paper wrapping speed upon determining that thesensor has at least reached the predetermined pressure threshold.
 82. Anapparatus according to claim 77, including a microprocessor to allow fora user interface which receives desired length data for the cigarette,at least one actuator which selectively enables a distance of separationbetween the end member and the extruder to be adjusted, and amicroprocessor in communication with the user interface and the sensor,the microprocessor determining when the sensor reaches or exceeds apredetermined threshold and in response thereto causing the at least oneactuator to alter the distance of separation between the end member andthe extruder proportionate to the volume of sheared extruded materialand the desired length data.
 83. An apparatus according to claim 77,including a microprocessor which receives desired compactness and lengthof cigarette data and controls positioning of the end member, the extendto which paper is wrapped about the sheared smokable substance andoperation of the extruder to adjust a compactness and length of thesmokable substance so extruded in response to user input data correlatedto the sensor.
 84. An apparatus according to claim 77, wherein theextruder includes a barrel which receives the uncut smokable substanceto cut and shear, an elongate member disposed within and rotatablerelative to the barrel, and a plurality of longitudinally andcircumferentially spaced-apart protrusions coupled to andradially-extending outwards from a proximal portion of the elongatemember, the extruder being configured to cut, shear and propel freshlycut said plant matter towards the extrusion nozzle.
 85. An apparatusaccording to claim 84, wherein the protrusions are arranged in one ormore helical formations.
 86. An apparatus according to claim 84, whereineach said protrusion is outwardly concave at least in part in lateralcross-section.
 87. An apparatus according to claim 84, wherein distalends of the protrusions are outwardly convex.
 88. An apparatus accordingto claim 84, wherein each said protrusion includes a biasing surfacewhich faces towards a distal portion of the elongate member at least inpart.
 89. An apparatus according to claim 88, wherein each said biasingsurface is outwardly concave.
 90. An apparatus according to claim 84,wherein a longitudinally extending and helically arranged said bladecouples to and extends radially outwards from a distal portion of theelongate member.
 91. An apparatus according to claim 84, wherein thebarrel has an inlet in fluid communication with the protrusions and anoutlet in fluid communication with the blade.
 92. An apparatus accordingto claim 84, wherein the blade tapers in a direction extending from theproximal portion of the elongate member towards a distal end of thebarrel.
 93. An apparatus according to claim 84, wherein the proximalportion of the elongate member is tapered at least in part.
 94. Anapparatus according to claim 84, wherein the protrusions are arranged ina helical arrangement having a helix angle that is equal to or greaterthan that of the blade.
 95. An apparatus according to claim 84, whereinthe protrusions extend outwards from the elongate member at a greaterpitch relative to the blade.
 96. An apparatus according to claim 84,wherein longitudinally spaced-apart adjacent portions of the blade aremore spaced-apart from each other relative to longitudinallyspaced-apart adjacent said protrusions.
 97. A method of forming acigarette via the apparatus of claim 77, the method comprising: shearingand extruding the smokable substance via the extruder; selectivelypositioning the end member so as to provide an adjustable space for thesmokable substance so extruded; and wrapping paper about the smokablesubstance so extruded, with the signal provided by a sensor determiningflow of extruded material and used to guide the rate at which the paperis wound around the smokable substance so extruded.
 98. A method offorming a cigarette via the apparatus of claim 77, the methodcomprising: storing an uncut said smokable substance within theapparatus; receiving a user command and in response thereto,automatically shearing and extruding said smokable substance so shearedout of a nozzle via the apparatus; and automatically wrapping paperabout the smokable substance so sheared.
 99. An apparatus for forming acigarette, the apparatus comprising: an extruder via which a smokablesubstance is selectively extruded; an end member positioned to provide aspace for the smokable substance so extruded; and at least one actuatorwhich enables a distance between the extruder and the end member to beadjusted, with a length of the cigarette being selectively adjustablethereby.
 100. An apparatus according to claim 99, including amicroprocessor in communication with the extruder and the at least oneactuator, the microprocessor causing the extent to which the extruderextrudes the smokable substance and the extent to which the end memberand the extruder are spaced-apart from each other to be selectivelyadjusted based on one or more of: end-user provided cigarette lengthdata; and end-user provided cigarette compactness data.
 101. Anapparatus according to claim 99, including a sensor coupled to the endmember, wherein the sensor provides a signal indicative of the extent towhich the smokable substance is biased towards the end member as paperis wound around the extruded material, and wherein the at least oneactuator is actuated to increase the distance of separation between theend member and the extruder upon the sensor reaching a pre-determinedthreshold.
 102. An apparatus according to claim 99, including amicroprocessor tracking the position of motors and a sensor whichconveys a signal indicative of the extent to which the smokablesubstance biases against the end member, with operation of one or moreof the actuator and the extruder being controlled in response thereto.103. An apparatus according to claim 99, including a microprocessortracking the position of motors and a sensor which conveys a signalindicative of the extent to which the end member is spaced from theextruder, with operation of one or more of the actuator and the extruderbeing controlled in response thereto.
 104. An apparatus according toclaim 99, including a microprocessor tracking the position of motors anda sensor which conveys a signal indicative of the length of an elongateportion of the smokable material, with operation of one or more of theactuator and the extruder being controlled in response thereto.
 105. Anapparatus according to claim 99, wherein the apparatus includes one ormore cutting members configured to promote shearing of portions of thesmokable substance.
 106. An apparatus according to claim 99, wherein theextruder has a longitudinal axis, with the end member beinglongitudinally alignable with the longitudinal axis of the extruder.107. An apparatus according to claim 99, including paper automaticallyextendable about the smokable substance so extruded and including apaper wrapping assembly configured to wrap the paper about the smokablesubstance so extruded.
 108. An apparatus according to claim 107,including a gripping member shaped to selectively couple to an outer endof the paper in a paper-gripping position thereof.
 109. An apparatusaccording to claim 108, wherein the at least one actuator enables thegripping member to selectively move from the paper-gripping position toa rolling position in which the gripping member aligns with an elongateportion of the smokable substance.
 110. An apparatus according to claim108, wherein the at least one actuator when actuated causes a first ofthe paper wrapping assembly and the gripping member to rotate relativeto a second of the paper wrapping assembly and the gripping member. 111.An apparatus according to claim 108, wherein the paper wrapping assemblyis arranged to unroll said paper at an angle relative to the grippingmember, with selective actuation of the at least one actuator causingthe paper to rotate about the elongate portion of the smokablesubstance.
 112. An apparatus according to claim 108, wherein thegripping member is bifurcated.
 113. A method of forming a cigarette viathe apparatus of claim 99, the method comprising: receiving one or moreof end-user provided cigarette length data and the end-user providedcigarette compactness data; shearing and extruding the smokablesubstance via the extruder towards the end member; adjusting positioningof the end member via the at least one actuator based on one or more ofthe end-user provided cigarette length data and the end-user providedcigarette compactness data; and wrapping paper about the smokablesubstance so extruded.
 114. An apparatus for forming a cigarette, theapparatus comprising: an extruder configured to extrude a smokablesubstance towards an end member; at least one sensor configured toprovide a signal indicative of the extent to which the smokablesubstance is biased towards the end member; and a microprocessor whichcontrols operation of the extruder and positioning of the end memberrelative to the extruder to adjust a compactness and length of thesmokable substance so extruded in response to user input data correlatedat least in part to the sensor.